Adjustable view stand
A stand for a handset having a display is provided. The stand consists of a fixed portion and an adjustable portion coupled to the fixed portion. The adjustable portion is operable to receive the handset and operable for adjustment of a viewing angle of the handset.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIXNot applicable.
BACKGROUNDHandheld electronic devices or handsets such as portable streaming video players, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, handheld computers, portable music players, calculators, and similar devices will be referred to herein as handsets. Many handsets include a display screen on which a user can watch videos, read text, or gain access to other information presented in a visual medium. The user typically holds the handset in his or her hand while viewing the display screen.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, a stand for a handset having a display is provided. The stand consists of a fixed portion and an adjustable portion coupled to the fixed portion. The adjustable portion is operable to receive the handset and operable for adjustment of a viewing angle of the handset.
In another embodiment, a handset accessory is provided. The handset accessory consists of a base and a cradle. The cradle is coupled to the base and is operable to receive the handset. The cradle is also operable to adjust a disposition of the handset when the handset is provided in the cradle.
In another embodiment, a method for viewing video information is provided. The method consists of providing a handset that includes a screen operable to display the video information. The method also consists of providing a base, where the base includes an adjustable cradle operable to receive the handset. The method also includes placing the handset in the cradle and adjusting a viewing angle of the handset for viewing the video information while the handset is provided in the cradle.
These and other features and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.
It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrative implementation of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated below, the present system may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
When holding a handset to view a movie or some other video-based content, a user might need to maintain his or her hand in an awkward position to achieve a suitable viewing angle for the handset. Holding a handset for an extended period of time can become tiresome. If the user chooses to rest the handset on a horizontal surface, such as a desk or tabletop, the resulting viewing angle may not be conductive to viewing or may not provide a high quality picture. If the user chooses to lean the handset against an object to achieve a proper viewing angle, the handset might be likely to slip or fall.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a stand is provided that can hold a handset in adjustable positions on a table, desk, or similar surface. The stand includes a cradle into which the handset can be inserted and which can be adjusted to allow the handset to be viewed at different angles. In this way, the viewing angle can easily be adjusted to suit the preferences of the user for comfort and picture quality. The handset can then be securely held in the selected position.
In an embodiment, the adjustable portion 20, or cradle, is capable of swiveling so that the handset 30 can be viewed at different angles.
Regardless of the precise nature of the mechanism 40, the mechanism 40 can be provided with a means for holding the cradle 20 securely at a desired angle. For example, the mechanism 40 might be a friction hinge that holds the cradle 20 in a particular disposition by friction or might be a ratchet hinge that holds the cradle 20 in a particular disposition by a ratcheting action. One of skill in the art will recognize other ways in which the cradle 20 could be prevented from rotating away from the desired angle by the force of gravity pulling downward on the handset 30.
In an embodiment, the stand 5 can be provided with sufficient weight to counterbalance the weight of the handset 30 when the handset 30 is inserted into the stand 5 at the different possible angles. This can prevent the force of gravity from toppling the stand 5 when the handset 30 is inserted into the stand 5 at angles far from the vertical.
It can be seen in
In one embodiment, the stand 5 is manufactured to be used with a particular brand, type, or model of handset 30 and the cradle 20 has a fixed size appropriate for the handset 30 for which the stand 5 was made. In an alternative embodiment, the size and shape of the cradle 20 may be adjustable to accommodate different sizes and shapes of handsets 30. For example, the cradle 20 might contain moveable sides or a similar mechanism to hold different shapes and sizes of handsets 30 in the cradle 20. Alternatively, the cradle 20 might contain an insert of foam or similar material that can conform to different shapes and sizes of handsets 30 and thus hold the handset 30 in place. In still other embodiments, other techniques or configuration may be used to retain handsets of varying sizes, which will readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art in view of the present teachings.
In an embodiment, the stand 5 includes a component for providing an electrical charge to the handset 30. This is illustrated in
In an embodiment, the stand 5 includes at least one speaker that can play sounds generated by the handset 30. A speaker cable 60 might connect an audio output port on the handset 30 to an audio input port on the stand 5. When the speaker cable 60 is connected, sounds that would otherwise come from a speaker on the handset 30 might instead come from the speaker or speakers on the stand 5. Alternatively, sounds might be emitted simultaneously by both the speaker on the handset 30 and the speaker or speakers on the stand 5. In an alternative embodiment, the handset 30 might have an audio output port on its bottom surface and the cradle 20 might have an audio input port on its upper surface such that, when the handset 30 is placed in the cradle 20, the audio output port on the handset 30 connects to the audio input port on the cradle 20.
While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.
Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through some interface or device, such that the items may no longer be considered directly coupled to each other but may still be indirectly coupled and in communication, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise with one another. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A stand for a handset having a display, the handset comprising: a fixed portion; and an adjustable portion coupled to the fixed portion and operable to receive the handset and operable when the handset is provided in the adjustable portion for adjustment of a viewing angle of the handset, wherein the adjustable portion is positioned at least partially within the fixed portion, wherein the handset is supported by inserting at least part of the handset into the adjustable portion, and wherein the handset is supported and the viewing angle adjusted using the same part of the stand and wherein the fixed portion includes at least one speaker operable to emit a sound based on a signal generated by the handset.
2. The stand of claim 1, wherein the adjustable portion is operable to be disposed at a plurality of angles by at least one of:
- a friction hinge;
- a ratchet hinge;
- an axle; and
- a ball joint.
3. The stand of claim 2, wherein the adjustable portion is operably adjustable about one or more axes of rotation.
4. The stand of claim 2, wherein the adjustable portion is operable to accommodate a plurality of handsets having a plurality of shapes and sizes.
5. The stand of claim 2, wherein at least one of the fixed portion and the adjustable portion is operable to promote providing an electrical charge to the handset.
6. The stand of claim 2, further comprising the handset and wherein the handset includes a screen operable to display video information.
7. The stand of claim 2, wherein the adjustable portion is operable to receive at least one handset selected from a group of handsets consisting of:
- a device operable to display streaming video content;
- a mobile telephone;
- a video player
- a personal digital assistant;
- a handheld computer;
- a music player; and
- a calculator.
8. A handset accessory comprising:
- a base; and a cradle coupled to the base and operable to receive the handset, the cradle operable to adjust a disposition of the handset when the handset is provided in the cradle, wherein the cradle is positioned at least partially within the base, and wherein the cradle supports the entire handset and wherein the base includes at least one sneaker operable to emit a sound based on a signal generated by the handset.
9. The handset accessory of claim 8, wherein the cradle is operable to be disposed at a plurality of angles by at least one of:
- a friction hinge;
- a ratchet hinge;
- an axle; and
- a ball joint.
10. The handset accessory of claim 8, wherein the cradle is adjustable to retain a first handset having a first size and a second handset having a second size, the first size different from the second size.
11. The handset accessory of claim 8, wherein the cradle is operable to accommodate a plurality of handsets having different sizes.
12. The handset accessory of claim 8, further comprising a component for providing an electrical charge to the handset when the handset is coupled to the cradle.
13. The handset accessory of claim 8, further comprising the handset and wherein the handset includes a screen operable to display visually perceptible information.
14. The handset accessory of claim 8, wherein the adjustable portion is operable to receive at least one handset selected from a group of handsets consisting of:
- a device operable to display streaming video content;
- a mobile telephone;
- a personal digital assistant;
- a handheld computer;
- a music player; and
- a calculator.
15. A method for viewing video information comprising: providing a handset that includes a screen operable to display the video information; providing a base, the base including an adjustable cradle operable to receive the handset; placing the handset in the cradle, wherein at least part of the cradle is positioned within a cavity in the base, and wherein the cradle supports the entire handset; wherein the base includes at least one speaker operable to emit a sound based on a signal generated by the handset and adjusting a viewing angle of the handset for viewing the video information while handset is provided in the cradle.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cradle is operable to be disposed at a plurality of angles by means of at least one of:
- a friction hinge;
- a ratchet hinge;
- an axle; and
- a ball joint.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising removing the handset from the cradle, and providing the cradle in a storage mode, the storage mode inoperable for receiving the handset.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising charging the handset while the handset is provide in the cradle.
6278779 | August 21, 2001 | Bryant et al. |
Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 26, 2006
Date of Patent: Nov 17, 2009
Patent Publication Number: 20080037767
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si)
Inventors: Mark Solon Kanjitsu Gullickson (Santa Monica, CA), Naoki Shimada (Torrance, CA), Erik Raymond Chin (Hermosa Beach, CA)
Primary Examiner: Tuan D Nguyen
Application Number: 11/460,058
International Classification: H04M 1/00 (20060101); H04M 9/00 (20060101);